Well the rain has finally come, and fall weather can’t be far behind. For those of us lucky enough to live in more temperate zones, the end of summer doesn’t necessarily mean an end to water sports in general or a need to “put the boat up.”Seagoing cats and occasionally dogs, are not an unheard of combination; in fact, historically speaking there is a great deal to be said for the seafaring tradition of cats. Though brought on board more often for their hunting prowess whose skills greatly benefited the health of their human shipmates, other, less tangible benefits than rodent population control were likely reaped by the crew, similar to those received by cat owners of today. So great were these benefits that some ship captains were loathe to go to sea without these diminutive crew members, as evidenced by a NY Times advertisement published October 1, 1922 in which the lead in reads  

                                                                (http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=FB0E12FE34581B7A93C3A9178BD95F468285F9 )

Why were these pets so adapted to life at sea? Simple answer: They didn’t know any different. For those planning to spend a great deal of time shipboard, proper pet selection is crucial. If you plan to spend much of your time at sea, it’s wise to choose a pet specifically to be your shipmate. Puppies and kittens who are raised on a boat think life afloat is the way life is. Older pets who’ve lived a landlubber life are likely to experience a period of adjustment. For dogs, additional training may be necessary to take care of the “necessities” and until they get the knack of it, frequent landings may be required. Cats, once over the stress of transport to the boat and their new surroundings will typically resume litter box use as they have previously done on land.

Nowadays pets are taken aboard for reasons other than vermin control. They provide numerous benefits: companionship, a sense of safety as their keener senses can alert

their crew to potential water dangers, and they can even facilitate foreign relations as these four-legged ambassadors are often conversation starters when entering new ports of call. 

As valued members of the crew, pet safety also needs to be considered. Your veterinarian can assist you in assembling a first aid kit specific to your pet that should be kept on board at all times. In addition, PFD’s (Personal Floatation Devices) now come in all ranges of sizes and colors for the canine species! Practice with your pet in and out of the water putting one of these on; it could save their life! For cats, training them to grasp a thick rope or towel from the water to facilitate “self rescue” is likely best until a feline PFD version becomes available.  Cats are not small dogs. Canine life vests do not fit well and can hinder movement, the worst possible combination in a water emergency.

Not all pets are “born to the sea” thus a little training is indicated for most. Keep things simple. Make initial introductions to water craft slowly, for short time periods and encourage them by giving lots of positive attention including food rewards. Let pets get out and sniff and explore the craft as well as experience the rise and fall with the water swells without the addition of motor sounds. Once accustomed to the feel of the water, gradually introduce the sounds common shipboard: a motor, rigging movements, radio, et cetera. Making sure initial tours are fun for your companion will pay off in the long run for all crew members.